Compartment box



Oct. 3, R v, BURDlcK 7 2,174,618

COMPARTMENT BOX Filed Jan. 9, 1937 Patented Oct. 3, 1939 U N TED STATES PATENT 'OF-FICE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to boxes or containers and more particularly to the well known type in which shoe polish, automobile-wax and the like are sold.

It is a matter of common knowledge, that in the home the application of shoe polish on shoes, without the use of an applicator is an unpleasant and messy undertaking, during which the hands become very soiled and greasy. Frequently, an

old. piece of cloth is used to apply the polish, but as it does not remain with the box, the user is troubled with making some subsequent disposition of it, as well as finding a new piece of cloth each time he desires to use the polish.

15 Therefore, it is the primary object of the pres- Y ent invention to provide an applicator for the polish, together with a novel construction of means for normally maintaining the same removably associated with the cover of the box, for

-- 0-, conven ence of use when desired and to eliminate the above noted-objections.

In carrying out the invention, I comprehend the provision of a polish applicator adapted to be housed within the cover of the box, and. held 2.) therein by means of a retaining element capable of being quickly and easily associated with the cover, or removed therefrom when use of the applicator is desired.

In accordance with the instant invention, I

:m contemplate the use of a retaining element adapted to be arranged within the cover of the box, and possessing sufficient flexibility and resiliency to cooperate wtih the adjacent wall of the cover to insure against casual separation of 3,3 the retaining element from the latter, and at the same time permit said retainin element to be quickly and conveniently associated with the cover or removed therefrom as the occasion may require, the retaining element when positioned within the cover defining a compartment in which the applicator is housed.

More specifically stated, the retaining element is cut away at equidistantly spaced points around the edge thereof, to provide finger receiving openings to facilitate the removal of the said element from the cover, and at the same time provide a plurality of independently flexible portions, which in accordance with one embodiment of the invention are adapted to engage an internal shoulder formed on the cover of the box.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the 55 accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein: -'5

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through a box illustrating the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of the cover of the box showing the applicator and retaining m element positioned therein.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the retaining element.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the applicator.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of ahl5 slightly modified construction.

Figure 6 is a view of a modified form.

Before entering into a detail description of what is herein shown, I desire to have it known that the drawing is merely illustrative of one 20 specificembodiment of the invention, and that a general application of the invention or use with other types of boxes or containers, irrespective of their size or shape is contemplated by the claims.

Specifically, I have shown the invention in connection with a shoe polish box of well known construction, and wherein the body of the box is indicated at it, and the cover therefor at H.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coverfiSO it, irrespective of its size or shape, is provided with one or more internal projections, preferably a bead 42 for the purpose to be presently described.

The applicator is indicated at 13, and in this 35 specific instance, is shown as a circular pad or cloth of any suitable material, adapted to be normally housed within the cover i! and always accessible for use as the occasion may require.

It is to be understoodhowever, that the applilqo cator may be in the form of a mitten, or of any form, size or shape suitable for use with the contents of the particular container with which it is used. Obviously, if the invention is used in connection with a shoe polish box as shown, the .45 polish may be applied to the shoes without the usual messiness and soiling of the hands attending such an undertaking, where a suitable applicator is not employed. The size and shape of the applicator is always such to permit it to be easily and quickly placed within the cover II when not in use, and retained therein in a manner to be presently set forth.

The invention comprehends a novel construction of means for retaining the applicator normally housed within the cover I l, and essentially embodies a flexible retaining element M of cardboard, metal, rubber or any suitable material possessing sufficient resiliency to cooperate with the adjacent wall of the cover H to prevent its casual separation therefrom. Manifestly, when the retaining element is arranged within the cover, it defines with the opposed wall of the latter a compartment in which the applicator is housed.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the retaining element is shown as a disk. However, the retaining element may be of any desired shape or size to accommodate itself to any particular type or form of cover With which it is used. The retaining element is preferably cut away at equidistantly spaced points about its edge to provide finger receiving openings l5 so that it can be conveniently removed from the cover when desired. The contour of the openings is such, and characterized by rounded edges to protect the finger from injury while removing the retaining element from the cover, especially if the retaining element is made of metal or the like. In addition to providing finger receiving openings 15, the retaining element by virtue of these openings is provided With a plurality of independently flexible portions it which possess a maximum degree of resiliency and flexibility, so that the said retaining element can be more quickly and conveniently positioned within the cover H or removed therefrom when desired. As shown in one embodiment of the invention, when the retaining element is placed within the cover, the flexible resilient portions i6 snap over the bead l2, subsequently reposing on said bead to support the retaining element in position for use. The construction also makes it easy to snap the flexible resilient portions it over the bead l2 when removing the retaining element from the cover.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated a slightly modifled form of the invention, wherein the cover II is provided with a smooth wall, while the dimensions of the retaining element are such that the edge thereof engages said wall, and is frictionally supported thereby, in contradistinction to the use of an internal bead such as indicated at l2 in Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 6 I have shown another slightly modified form to illustrate how the applicator H and retaining element l8 can vary in shape to be used with a cover of different cross sectional contour than what is illustrated in Figures l to 5.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily understood, I desire to have it known. that such changes in construction may be resorted to as fall within the scope 'of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a box cover having an internal bead, and a flexible element of resilient material wholly and removably positioned within the cover, equidistantly spaced independently flexible portions projecting from the outer edge of said element and adapted to snap over and repose upon said bead to support the element Within the cover and define a compartment with the opposed wall thereof, said flexible portions defining finger receiving notches by the intervening spaces therebetween.

2. In combination, a box cover, and a substantially fiat element of resilient material removably positioned within the cover, equidistantly spaced independently flexible portions projecting from the outer edge of the element to engage the adjacent wall of the cover and wholly retain the element therein, said flexible portions defining finger receiving notches by the intervening spaces therebetween.

3. In combination, a box cover having an internal bead, a flat disk of resilient material removably positioned within the cover to define a compartment with the opposed wall thereof, equidistantly spaced independently flexible segmental portions projecting from the peripheral edge of the disk and adapted to snap over and repose on said bead to support the disk within the cover, and said flexible portions defining an annular series of finger receiving notches by the intervening spaces therebetween.

4. In combination, a flanged box cover, a flat element positioned therein in spaced relation to the top wall thereof to define a compartment, an internal bead formed on the flange of said cover and utilized to support said element in position for use, and independently flexible portions projecting from, the edge of said element normally in a plane therewith, and adapted to be snapped over said bead and repose upon the latter, and permit the element to be readily inserted within or removed from said cover.

5. In combination, a flanged box cover, a flat flexible resilient element adapted to be loosely supported therein in spaced relation to the top wall of the cover to define a compartment, an internal bead formed on the flange of said cover and restricting the free passage of the element into and out of the latter, and flexible resilient portions projecting from the edge of the element normally in a plane therewith, and adapted to be independently snapped over said bead and repose thereon to support" the element in position for use.

6. In combination, a flanged box cover, a flat disk of resilient material removably positioned within the cover and defining a compartment with the top Wall thereof, an internal bead formed on the cover and restricting the free passage of the disk into and out of the latter, and equidistantly spaced independently flexible resilient portions projecting from the peripheral edge of the disk, normally in a plane with the latter, and adapted to be snapped over said bead and repose on the latter to support the disk in position for use, and said flexible portions defining an annular series of finger receiving notches by the intervening spaces therebetween to facilitate removal of the disk.

RALPH V. BURDICK. 

